Run by The Trentonian's Nick Peruffo, this blog will provide daily multimedia coverage of the Trenton Thunder.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Top 10 Opposing Players for 2011 - No. 6

Every Thursday, Minor Matters will unveil its Top 10 opposing players for the 2011 season. Yes, the Thunder are clearly the most interesting topic on this blog, but wouldn't be nice to hear about the next Matt Wieters, Carlos Santana or Stephen Strasburg to come through the Eastern League. Yeah, I thought so too.

No. 6 - Aaron Hicks

Bio: Taken in the first round of the 2008 draft, Hicks is a true five-tool talent, but he appears to still be a little rough around the edges. He's yet to advance past the Midwest League, but he could see Double-A this season with a good first half in Fort Myers.

2010: Just 20 entering the season, Hicks returned to Beloit after an underwhelming campaign in 2009. He hit .279/.401/.828 with the Snappers, and clubbed eight home runs and 49 RBIs in the process. He hit 27 doubles, a half dozen triples and stole 21 bases in 32 attempts. He also had three assists in the outfield.

What People Are Saying:

"Hicks remains all tooled up. As a hitter, his best asset is his patience, though at times he's too passive. He has above-average raw power from his natural right side but still has work to do from the left side, where he has more of a slap approach. His above-average speed plays better in center field than it does on the bases."-- John Manuel

"Hicks has the potential to be a five-tool monster. His athletic build shows plenty of raw power, he's a plus runner who covers a ton of ground in center field, and he features one of the minor leagues' best arms. Unlike many raw toolsy players, he has a keen understanding of the strike zone and knows how to get himself into hitter's counts." -- Kevin Goldstein

When You Can See Him: Hicks and the Rock Cats come in just once, shockingly, from August 25-28, by which time Hicks may have earned a promotion.